Pet Guide Platform for a Pet Door Opening

ABSTRACT

A foldable pet apparatus has a rigid platform member, a rigid barrier member, and a support member. The rigid barrier member is attached to one end of the rigid platform member by a hinge. The support member is attached to the rigid platform member at its other end with a hinge. The support member may be attached to a vertical wall below a pet door opening. When the foldable pet apparatus is in a deployed position, the rigid platform member provides a place for a pet to stand after it passes through the pet door. The rigid barrier member prevents the pet from going straight off of the end of the rigid platform member. The pet must turn to the right or left to leave the platform. When the foldable pet apparatus is in the collapsed position, it blocks the pet door opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus intended to improveindependent mobility and safe passage of household pets through stairwaydoors within a home or other building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In homes or buildings that house household pets, such as cats and dogs,a pet door opening is generally provided in a door that leads to a lowerlevel or basement. Basements are typically an area in a home where petneeds and provisions, such as feed, water, waste management and bedding,are kept to accommodate such pets due to odor, space shortage or otherinconveniences that would be present if such items would be contained inthe living areas of the home. The general purpose of the pet dooropening in a door leading to a lower level or basement, therefore, is toaccommodate the pet in having free access to their litter boxes orcontainers to allow them to relieve themselves or to eat and sleep.

However, in their travel to the lower level of the household, such as abasement, the pets must enter and exit the pet door opening in thestairway door wherein they immediately encounter the first step of thestairway leading to the lower level. Typically, their momentum goingthrough the pet door opening will carry them onto the first and secondsteps much too quickly. Due to the poor ergonomic configurations inapproaching the first and second steps, however, the risk of a fall downthe stairs leading to pet injuries is substantially increased. What isneeded then is a device or apparatus that will provide improvedergonomic pet access to the stairs. This risk can be minimized byoffering them a safe passage down the stairway, and more specifically,by providing a device or apparatus that will safely direct their path oftravel and slow down their momentum when entering the stairway from thepet door opening. Such an apparatus will offer them a footstep platformupon which to pause after passing through a pet door opening at the topof a stairway.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stairwaypet apparatus for a household pet that will lower the risk of injury tothe pet when it is traveling from a pet door opening down the stairwayto a lower level of the household. Another object of the invention is toprovide a stairway pet apparatus that is simple in operation and thatcan attach itself to the back side of the door that leads to the lowerlevel stairway of the household or building. And yet another object ofthe disclosure herein is to provide a stairway pet apparatus that can befolded and/or collapsed to mitigate and/or avoid the situation where thestairway pet apparatus itself can become an obstacle by limiting humanaccess or preventing the full opening or functioning of the stairwaydoor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The prior art discloses a variety of devices to facilitate movement ofpets through a pet door portal within a household, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,253,711 B1, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0161000A1, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,987. It is believed that nothing, however,is provided in those disclosures concerning the specific need tore-direct the direction of travel of a pet transiting through a pet dooropening which is exposed to a stairway leading to a lower floor of ahousehold, or a structure for overcoming the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A stairway pet apparatus is disclosed for preventing a household petfrom traveling down a stairway in a straight and downward directionalmovement leading from a pet door opening in a stairway door that facesthe stairway. In its briefest form, the stairway pet apparatus comprises(i) a horizontally disposed rigid platform member having opposite firstand second edges; (ii) a substantially, vertically disposed rigidbarrier member comprising opposite lower and upper edges; (iii) avertically disposed support member that comprises upper and lower edgeswhose upper edge is connected about the second edge of the rigidplatform member to facilitate its support; and (iv) a securement memberfor detachable fixed engagement of the support member of the apparatuswith the stairway door at a position in which the horizontal alignmentof the rigid platform member is below or substantially equal with alower edge of the pet door opening.

The purpose of the rigid platform member is to provide a perch uponwhich the pet can step onto after exiting the pet door opening. Thefunction of the barrier member is to re-direct the path of movement forthe pet away from a straight directional movement down the stairway toavoid injury to the pet. The support and securement members facilitatethe detachable securement of the stairway pet apparatus to the rear ofthe door containing the pet door opening while securely maintaining theapparatus in place with the stairway door. The barrier member, rigidplatform member and support member are preferably of an integralconstruction.

The securement member optionally includes a securement means fordetachable fixed engagement of the support member with the stairwaydoor. The securement means preferably includes (i) a placement member indetachable, fixed disposition on the opposite side of the stairway door,for engaging and detachably securing the support member to the stairwaydoor, and (ii) at least two nuts and bolts for passage of the boltsthrough corresponding openings provided in the support member andplacement member.

In another embodiment, a collapsible stairway pet apparatus is providedfor preventing a household pet from traveling in a straight and downwarddirectional movement along a stairway leading from a pet door opening ina stairway door that faces the stairway, comprising (i) a horizontallydisposed rigid platform member comprising opposing first and secondsides, the first side being provided with at least one first hinge andthe second side being provided with at least one second hinge; (ii) asubstantially, vertically disposed rigid barrier member comprisingopposing lower and upper sides, the lower side of the barrier memberbeing fixed with the first hinge of the first side of the rigid platformmember for rotation of the barrier member about the first side of therigid platform member; (iii) a vertically disposed support member thatis detachably fixed with the stairway door. The support member comprisesopposing upper and lower sides, the upper side of which is connectedwith the second hinge of the rigid platform member to enable upwardrotation of the rigid platform member about the upper side of thesupport member; (iv) a vertically extending protrusion provided aboutthe lower side of the barrier member for accommodating the receipt andengagement of at least one third hinge; (v) at least one fourth hingeprovided about the lower side of the support member; (vi) a rigid,longitudinally extending, connecting link that has first and second endportions, the first end portion being engaged with the third hinge, andthe second end portion being engaged with the fourth hinge. Both ofthese engagements facilitate the rotational movement of the barriermember and rigid platform member about their respective first and secondhinges. The rotation enables the rigid platform member to traversebetween a substantially horizontal deployed position and a substantiallyvertical, collapsed position adjacent to the back side of the stairwaydoor. And (vii) at least one rest member secured to the support memberand which is capable of maintaining the rigid platform member in asubstantially horizontal position when the stairway pet apparatus is inits horizontally deployed position.

The collapsible stairway pet apparatus optionally includes a lockingmember that is secured to the back side of the stairway door, i.e., theside of the door facing the stairway, for maintaining the pet apparatusin its substantially vertical, collapsed position relative to thestairway door. In a preferred embodiment, the locking member comprises ahook secured to the back side of the stairway door and a ring securedabout the upper side of the barrier member for engagement of the ringwith the hook.

As another optional embodiment, the collapsible pet apparatus canadditionally include a securement member for detachable fixed engagementof the support member with the stairway door at a position in which thehorizontal alignment of the rigid platform member is below orsubstantially equal with a lower edge of the pet door opening. Thesecurement member is configured for disposition on the front side of thestairway door for detachable fixed engagement with the support member.The securement member is detachably engaged with the support member,preferably by means of at least two nuts and bolts for passage of thebolts through corresponding openings provided in the support member, thestairway door and the securement member. In keeping with thisarrangement, the hook of the locking member can alternatively be fixedwith the securement member on the front side of the stairway door inwhich the ring is detachably engaged with the hook by means of a cordthat is configured to pass through an opening provided in the stairwaydoor above the pet door opening. With this option, the collapsiblestairway pet apparatus can be manually operated from the front side ofthe stairway door between a deployed position and a collapsed positionby lowering and raising the pet apparatus with the appropriate use ofthe cord. In this manner, the stairway door need not be opened tooperate the collapsible pet apparatus.

For an automatic operation of the collapsible stairway pet apparatusbetween a deployed position and a collapsed position, the pet apparatuscan optionally and additionally include a torsional spring connected tothe first side edge of the barrier member and the lower side of theplatform member such that a bias exists for the rotational movement ofthe platform and barrier members about the first hinge to asubstantially parallel position or collapsed position relative to thestairway door. A fastener is also included which is secured to one oftwo or more rest members. The fastener comprises (i) a releasablespring-loaded clamp detachably communicating with the platform memberfor maintaining the platform member in a substantially horizontalposition, and (ii) a release member for decoupling the clamp from theplatform member to allow the rotation of the platform member and barriermember to the collapsed, substantially vertical position adjacent to thestairway door. By exercising operation of the release member which holdsthe rigid platform member in its deployed position, automatic collapseof the collapsible stairway pet apparatus to a collapsed position fromits deployed position is accomplished by virtue of the bias of thetorsional springs acting on the rigid platform member to propel it andthe barrier member in the upward, vertical direction.

A foldable and collapsible stairway pet apparatus is also disclosed forpreventing a household pet from traveling in a straight and downwarddirectional movement along a stairway leading from a pet door opening ina stairway door that faces the stairway. This version of the stairwaypet apparatus comprises (a) a rigid platform member having a planarconfiguration that includes opposing first and second sides. The firstside of the rigid platform member is provided with a first hinge and itssecond side is provided with a second hinge. The platform furthercomprises at least two side members underlying and depending from therigid platform member for its support, with each side member having adefined front end and rear end. The foldable and collapsible petapparatus also includes (b) a rigid barrier member having a top andbottom surface, and an upper and lower side. The bottom surface of thebarrier member is connected to and engaged with the first hinge of therigid platform member which is disposed about the bottom side of thebarrier member. A downwardly extending flange from the bottom side ofthe barrier member is provided, the lower portion of the flange beingconfigured to rest against the front ends of the side members of therigid platform member when the barrier member is rotated about the firsthinge to a deployed upright position relative to the rigid platformmember. The flange and barrier member are preferably of an integralconstruction; and (c) a support member comprising opposing front andback sides, said front side being connected to the second hinge of therigid platform member for rotational movement of the platform memberabout the second hinge in an upward direction relative to the stairwaydoor. The support member is configured for receiving the rear ends ofthe rest members for maintaining the platform member in a horizontalposition for being substantially perpendicular to the stairway door. Theback side of the support member is configured for detachable, fixedengagement with the stairway door. The length of the barrier member isless than the length of the rigid platform member in order toaccommodate the rotation of the bottom surface of the barrier memberonto the top surface of the rigid platform member and for defining afolded state, and for accommodating the upward rotational movement ofboth the barrier member and rigid platform member in their folded stateabout the second hinge to a collapsed state relative to the stairwaydoor.

The flange of the barrier member and front ends of the rest members areconfigured for maintaining the barrier member at an obtuse anglerelative to the top surface of the rigid platform member when in itsdeployed position. The obtuse angle is preferably from about 100 toabout 120 degrees.

The foldable and collapsible pet apparatus optionally comprises anattachment mechanism disposed on the back side of the stairway door tomaintain the apparatus in its collapsed state. The attachment mechanismpreferably comprises a hook secured to the back side of the stairwaydoor and a ring secured about the upper side of the barrier member forengagement of the ring with the hook.

Other and further objects and advantages will become apparent from thedisclosures in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom reading the following detailed description in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts:

FIG. 1 is an isolated isometric perspective view of a stairway petapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1A is an isometric perspective view of the first embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 showing its attachment to the backside of astairway door with a pet door opening.

FIG. 2 is an isolated isometric perspective view of a stairway petapparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatusillustrated in FIG. 2 collapsed position and attached to the rear sideof the stairway door in accordance with the second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a fully exploded isometric perspective view of the stairwaypet apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatusillustrated in FIG. 2 showing its attachment, in a partially deployedposition, to the backside of a stairway door with a pet door opening inaccordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an isolated perspective view of the stairway pet apparatusillustrated in FIG. 4 illustrating the apparatus in a fully deployedposition.

FIG. 6 is an isometric perspective view of the front side of the doorwayillustrated in FIG. 5 showing the manner of maintaining the doorway petapparatus in a collapsed position in accordance with the thirdembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatus inits deployed position in accordance with a second and third embodimentsof the invention, as perspectively viewed from the front side of thestairway door.

FIG. 8 is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatus ofFIG. 7 maintained in its deployed position without attachment to thestairway door, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatus ofFIG. 8 in its partially collapsed position without attachment to thestairway door.

FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the stairway pet apparatusillustrated in FIG. 9 showing the spring activated mechanism inaccordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an isometric perspective view of a collapsible and foldablestairway pet apparatus in accordance with the fifth embodiment of theinvention in its deployed position and attached to the rear of thestairway door below the pet door opening.

FIG. 12 is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatusillustrated in FIG. 11 in its collapsible and foldable position adjacentto the rear of the stairway door.

FIG. 13 is a fully exploded isometric perspective view of thecollapsible and foldable stairway pet apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an isometric perspective view of the stairway pet apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1, the isolated individual components making up thestairway pet apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, and the isolatedindividual components making up the stairway pet apparatus illustratedin FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples and the referenced drawings in this detailed descriptionare merely exemplary, and should not be used to limit the scope of theclaims in any claim construction or interpretation.

In its briefest form, the stairway pet apparatus comprises a platformmember, barrier member and support member collectively configured forfixed detachable securement to rear side of a stairway door containing apet door opening to provide a safe travel for a household pet down astairway in a household or building by directing the pet in a left orright direction after exiting the pet door opening. The barrier memberof the apparatus forces the pet to take an intermediate step onto thefirst step of the stairway immediately below the platform member,thereby shortening the greater vertical height the pet would have toovercome when exiting the pet door opening without the pet apparatus inplace.

When the pet ascends the stairway, the apparatus provides anergonomically beneficial step and perching position for reentry throughthe pet door opening. This avoids potential harm or injury to the petwhen it travels up or down a stairway to or from a lower level of thebuilding, or to divert from other hazards.

A first embodiment of the pet apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 1 whichshows a stairway pet apparatus 100 with a horizontally disposed rigid,planar platform member 102 having a top surface 104 defining a firstside and a bottom surface 106 defining a second side. Vertically alignedbarrier member 108 also has a rigid construction having an inner surface110, and an outer surface 112, each respectively opposing the other. Inaccordance with the first embodiment, barrier member 108 is rigidlyengaged with platform member 102 which in turn is rigidly engaged withsupport member 114. Support member 114 is vertically oriented and has anupper edge 116 defining an upper side, and a lower edge 118 defining alower side, each respectively opposing the other. The upper edge 116 ofthe support member 114 is fixedly engaged with the bottom surface 106 ofplatform member 102 to provide support thereto. In the illustrationshown in FIG. 1, platform member 102 is substantially horizontal whendeployed. Barrier member 108 has a vertical orientation relative toplatform member 102 and is shown to be at a substantially right angle tothe platform. It will be understood, however, that angle of barriermember 108 with platform member 102 can be at an obtuse angle so long asthe barrier member accomplishes its function of causing the pet to bedirected to the left or right of the stairway pet apparatus.

Platform member 102, barrier member 108 and support member 114 can be ofany rigid construction, such as a hardened or rigid plastic, e.g.,polyethylene, or metal, wood or similar construction. Each of thesecomponents can be constructed of the same or different rigid materials.As a preference, platform member 102, barrier member 108, and supportmember 114 are of a unitary construction. These three components canalso be made as separate parts and subsequently assembled to each other.

It is to be understood that platform member 102 be of sufficientstrength and structural rigidity to support its own weight and that ofbarrier member 108 in addition to the full weight of the passing petwithout temporary or permanent deflection or deformation of the platformmember. It is therefore critical that platform member 102, together withthe rest of the apparatus components, including those of subsequentembodiments disclosed herein, be capable of supporting a given pet'sweight without undesired flexure which could disturb the balance of thepet while it is stationary with or moving relative to platform member102.

Referring once again to FIG. 1 and also FIG. 1A, securement andreinforcement of the stairway pet apparatus 100 to stairway door 120 isaccomplished with a securement means in the form of a rigid placementmember 122 which is provided on upstairs side 119 of stairway door 120.Placement member 122 is in detachable fixed engagement with supportmember 114 by means of a plurality of nuts and bolts 126, 127, in thiscase four, passing through corresponding openings 128, 129 provided insupport member 114, stairway door 120, and placement member 122.Securement of the stairway pet apparatus with door 120 can beaccomplished by any conventional means, and in this case, may beaccomplished by attaching bolts 126, 127 directly to the door withoutthe use of placement member 122, e.g., using screws (not illustrated)taking the place of nuts and bolts 126, 127. In each case, however,securement of the stairway pet apparatus to stairway door 120 takesplace such that horizontally disposed platform member 102 is positionedat a point below or equal to the bottom 130 of pet door opening 124 tofacilitate the pet's passage therethrough and onto platform member 102.The pet door opening may comprise a pet door 150. The pet door may bedimensioned to substantially cover the pet door opening 124 when saidpet door is in a vertical orientation.

It is common in most households that a door leading to a lower level,such as a basement, will open into a room or corridor on the same levelas the door, as opposed to opening directly into the stairway. For thiscommon practice, the stairway pet apparatus, according to the inventionherein, is designed for attachment to the downstairs side 121 ofstairway door 120. It is therefore desirable that the pet stairwayapparatus not impede the flow of traffic that might take place throughstairway door 120. In accordance with a second embodiment of theinvention, then, a stairway pet apparatus is provided by configuring itsuch that it can be vertically folded or collapsed against the back ofstairway door 120 when the apparatus is not in use. Otherwise, to leaveit deployed in the position shown in FIG. 2 will cause the door to notfully open into the stairway thereby preventing full egress through thedoor opening down the stairs and ultimately to the lower level of thehousehold or building.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2A and 3, a collapsible stairway pet apparatus 200is illustrated comprising a platform member 202, barrier member 204, andsupport member 206. The collapsible stairway pet apparatus 200illustrated in FIG. 2 shows the apparatus in its deployed state, i.e.,where platform member 202 is substantially horizontal and substantiallyperpendicular to support member 206 and door 120, and barrier member 204is in a vertical position relative to platform member 202, preferably ata substantially right angle. Platform member 202 has a front side 210and a rear side 212, each of which has a recess 214, 216 respectivelypositioned about a mid-portion of their respective sides. Positionedwithin the front and rear sides 210, 212 of platform member 202 arefront and rear longitudinal hollow openings 218 and 220 foraccommodating receipt of front and rear hinge pins 222, 224,respectively.

Barrier member 204 has a rigid generally square or rectangularconfiguration having a lower side 226 and an upper side 228. Extendingfrom the approximate mid-portion of lower side 226 is a generallyrectangular flange 230 whose lower sides 232 have a flange recess 234.Lower sides 232 have hollow openings 235 therein for receiving hinge pin236. The opposing upper portion 238 of flange 230 contains alongitudinal hollow opening 240 for receiving front hinge pin 222 ofplatform 202. Flange 230 is fitted within front recess 214 such thathinge pin 222 passes through opening 240 and front hollow openings 218.Front hinge pin 222, opening 240, front recess 214, and front hollowopenings 218 therefore combine to form a hinge for engaging and rotatingbarrier member 204 relative to platform member 202.

Referring once again to FIGS. 2 and 3, as well as FIG. 4, collapsiblestairway pet apparatus 200 also includes a vertically disposed supportmember 206 for detachable fixed securement to the upstairs side 119 ofstairway door 120. Support member 206 comprises opposing upper and lowersides 242, 244. Side support members 246, 248 serving as rest membersare also included, and are preferably made integrative with supportmember 206 as a unitary construction (see FIG. 15), for supportingplatform member 202 when stairway pet apparatus 200 is in a deployedposition relative to stairway door 120. At least one side of the supportmember is utilized for maintaining the support of platform member 202.Upper side 242 of support member 206 is provided with an upwardlyextending flange 250 configured for insertion into rear recess 216 ofrear side 212 of platform member 202. Flange 250 has a longitudinalhollow opening 251 for receiving rear hinge pin 224 to provide a hingeassembly for allowing platform member 202 to rotate in an upwarddirection relative to support member 206.

Lower sides 244 of support member 206 contain a longitudinal hollowopening 252 for receiving hinge pin 256 whose length passes throughlower side recess 254. Lower side recess 254 is configured to receivethe rear portion 258 of a rigid, longitudinally extending, connectinglink 260. Rear portion 258 also contains a longitudinal hollow opening262 which, after its insertion into lower side recess 254, is inalignment with longitudinal hollow openings 252 for receiving hinge pin256 thereby engaging connecting link 260 with support member 206.

The front portion 264 of rigid connecting link 260 also contains alongitudinal hollow opening 266, which, after its insertion into therecess 234 of flange 230, aligns with hollow openings 235 of lower sides232 such that hinge pin 236 is received therethrough. In the foregoingmanner, the free rotational movement of barrier member 204 and rigidplatform member 202 about their respective hinge pins 222 and 236 isfacilitated. In similar fashion, the rotational movement of platformmember 202 relative to support member 206 about their respective hingepins 224 and 256 to either a substantially horizontal deployed position(see FIG. 5), or a substantially vertical collapsed position relative tostairway door 120, is also facilitated.

The attachment and securement of the collapsible stairway pet apparatus200 to doorway 120 is best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Supportmember 206 is detachably fixed to the upstairs side 119 of stairway door120 by any conventional means. In this embodiment, the attachment andsecurement are obtained by the use of bolts 268, 270 passing throughrespective openings 272, 274 provided in support member 206, stairwaydoor 120, and securement member 276 (FIG. 5). Securement is finalizedusing wing nuts or hex nuts 271 threaded and tightened onto bolts 268,270. In accordance with this second embodiment, support member 206 andsecurement member 276 are secured with door 120 such that the horizontalalignment of rigid platform member 202 is below or substantially equalwith the lower edge 278 of pet door opening 280 when the collapsiblestairway pet apparatus 200 is in its deployed position. In this manner,the pet will have an immediate and safe platform to enter upon once itpasses through pet door opening 280.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second embodiment of the stairway petapparatus 200 is configured to be manually operated from a deployedposition, wherein platform member 204 is supported in an extended,substantially horizontal, perpendicular relationship with stairway door120 (FIG. 2) when in use, and a collapsed position wherein theconnecting link 260, via its connection with support member 206 andplatform 202, transfers motion to the interconnected hinge assembly andenables the pet apparatus to be collapsed against stairway door 120 (seeFIG. 2A). Collapsing the apparatus against the downstairs side 121 ofstairway door 120 therefore mitigates and/or removes any obstruction tothe opening of stairway door 120 by substantially eliminating theapparatus from the stairway path.

It will be understood that the functioning of the apparatus between thedeployed and collapsed positions can be undertaken by either a manualoperation (see FIGS. 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) or in an automaticspring-loaded operation (see FIGS. 8, 9, and 10).

In the manual operation, ring 282 is secured about the upper side 228 ofbarrier member 204 which serves as a device for lifting the barriermember 204 and pet apparatus 200 to a substantially vertical positionrelative to stairway door 120. It will be understood that barrier member204 and platform member 202 rotate freely about their respective hingepins 222 and 224. In order to maintain pet apparatus 200 in itscollapsed position (see FIG. 2A), a looped cord 283 is attached to ring282 and connected to a hook 289 situated and fixed at an elevatedposition on the downstairs side 121 of stairway door 120 above pet dooropening 280. It should be noted that when pet apparatus 200 is in itscollapsed position, the pet door opening 280 is effectively blocked,thereby denying passage of the household pet through pet door opening280 and to the lower level of the household or building.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention as illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a cord 284 is connected to ring 282 and extended andpassed through grommet 286 (placed in opening 288 for that purpose), tothe upstairs side 119 of stairway door 120 and attached to securementmember 276 as shown in FIG. 6. This is accomplished by means of a secondring 292 attached to the opposite end of cord 284 which is looped ontopeg 290. In this manner, stairway pet apparatus 200 can be deployed andcollapsed from the entrance side 119 of stairway door 120 without havingto open stairway door 120.

As an alternative to using peg 290, detachable securement of second ring292 to the upstairs side 119 of stairway door 120 is accomplished byinserting second ring 292 into a slot 294 of spring-loaded latch 296 asillustrated in FIG. 7. Latch 296 is fixedly secured to the entrance side119 of stairway door 120 just below pet door opening 280 for thispurpose. Once ring 292 is inserted into slot 294, it will trigger andengage with spring-loaded catch 298 for maintaining the pet apparatus200 in its collapsed position. Release of second ring 292 from slot 294is accomplished by depressing spring-loaded catch 298 to allow petapparatus 200 to return to a deployed position.

The foregoing third embodiment that enables pet apparatus 200 to beoperated from the upstairs side 119 of door 120 between a collapsed anddeployed position relies on the free rotational movement of barriermember 204 and platform member 202 about their respective hinge pins 222and 224. If it is desired to avoid operation of pet apparatus 200 fromthe entrance side 119 of stairway door 120, the rotation of hinge pins222 and 224 can be adjusted with a stiffened resistance by increasingthe diameter of these hinge pins such that they would be met with aresistance fit when inserted into their respective openings. Thisoptional method would also apply to increasing the diameter of hingepins 236 and 256 that engage connecting link 260 with flange 230 andsupport member 206. In either or both cases, pet apparatus 200 can bemanually adjusted to the deployed or collapsed positions, or anyposition therebetween.

For an automatic operation of pet apparatus between a deployed andcollapsed position, a fourth embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and10. In this embodiment, and as shown in greater detail in FIG. 10, fronthinge pin 316 of FIG. 9 is provided with two torsional springs 302 abouthinge pin 316, placed on either side of flange 230 within recess 214.One end of each of the springs is attached about the front side 210 ofplatform member 202, while their respective opposite ends communicatewith flange 230. Springs 302 are biased with sufficient torque tocollectively force barrier member 204 and platform member 202, as wellas its associated connecting link 260, in an upward, vertical directionabout hinge pins 316 and 224, i.e., the torsion producing springsprovide a sufficient torque to barrier member 204 and platform member202 to force them in a vertical direction relative to support member 206about respective hinge pins 316 and 224. Without anything to restrainthe resulting torque of torsional springs 302, stairway pet apparatus200 will remain in its vertical collapsed position adjacent to stairwaydoor 120.

Inasmuch as the stairway pet apparatus 200 will not be raised or loweredwhile the pet is standing on platform member 202, the amount of torquerequired from torsional springs 302 will be limited to lifting the petapparatus from its deployed position to its collapsed position. Thetorque offered by torsional springs 302 must therefore be sufficient tomove and maintain the entire weight of barrier member 204, platformmember 202 and connecting link 260 to a vertical collapsed position. Thetorque required will depend on the materials used for the pet apparatusand their corresponding weight. The ratings of torque for the torquesprings utilized herein are readily available for a person skilled inthe art and can be selected so that the force needed to move theapparatus from a deployed to a collapsed position can be easilyaccomplished. See, for example, Machinery's Handbook, 25th Edition,1997, pp. 315-324 dealing with wire coil springs. Spiral flat springs orleaf springs can also be used.

As an alternative to inserting torsional springs 302 into recess 214 oneither side of flange 230, externally mounted hinges that include theirown integral return springs and hinge arrangements (not shown) can beused to provide automatic collapse of platform member 202 and barriermember 204 about support member 206.

Referring to FIG. 8, in order to enable pet apparatus 200 to remain in adeployed position by countering the torsional forces offered bytorsional springs 302, a spring loaded, platform locking mechanism 305is provided about side support member 248 of support member 206.Platform locking mechanism 305 can be provided about either or both ofside support members 246, 248. FIG. 8 shows platform locking mechanism305 attached to side support member 248 for maintaining platform 202 inits deployed position utilizing restraining latch 306. Restraining latch306 is part of platform locking mechanism 305 and rotates around pin 308which is held in place between sidewalls 310 and 312. A spring (notshown) is provided between sidewalls 310, 312 to restore the restraininglatch 306 to a closed state for maintaining platform 202 in its deployedposition. This is illustrated in FIG. 8. Releasing the locking mechanismis accomplished by depressing the flat portion 314 of restraining latch306 thereby rotating the latch around hinge pin 308 into a releasedposition as shown in FIG. 9. Once released, stairway pet apparatus 200will automatically spring to a collapsed position adjacent to thedownstairs side 121 of stairway door 120 due to the restoring or biasingforces created by torsional coil springs 302.

As an alternative to the previous embodiments, a fifth embodimentaccording to the invention is disclosed with the stairway pet apparatus400 illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 in which the stairway petapparatus is folded and collapsed against the downstairs side 121 ofstairway door 120 (FIG. 12). As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, pet apparatus400 comprises a barrier member 404, platform member 402 and supportmember 406. The foldable and collapsible stairway pet apparatus 400illustrated in FIG. 11 shows the apparatus in its deployed position,i.e., where platform member 402 is substantially perpendicular tosupport member 406 and door 120, and barrier member 404 is at a slightobtuse angle relative to the horizontal deployed position of platformmember 402. As best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, two side supports408 and 410 are provided which depend from and extend below platformmember 402. As illustrated, platform member 402 has a front end 412 andan opposing rear end 414. A series of spaced-apart, hollow pivots 416are positioned about front end 412 and on the top surface 403 ofplatform member 402. The hollow portions of pivots 416 are configured todefine openings 418 that accommodate the receipt of longitudinalconnecting pin 420. Spaced-apart, hollow connecting pivots 422 are alsoprovided and positioned to extend beyond the opposing rear end 414. Aswith pivots 416, the hollow portions of pivots 422 are configured todefine openings 424 to accommodate the receipt of a longitudinalconnecting pin 426.

Barrier member 404 has a rigid, generally square or rectangularconfiguration having a lower surface 428 and an upper surface 430. Aseries of spaced-apart, hollow pivots 432 (illustrated in FIG. 14 andpartially hidden in FIG. 11) having openings 434 are positioned on saidlower surface 428 of barrier member 404. In one example, the opening 434may be a hollow pivot opening. The placement of hollow pivots 432 alongpivot axis X-X (where hollow pivots 432 are attached), defines thebeginning of a downwardly depending flange 407 which extends to thelower edge 405 of lower surface 428 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). The spacingbetween pivots 416 of platform member 402 and the pivots 432 of barriermember 404 are such that the pivots collectively mate with each other ina frictionless manner to accommodate the receipt of connecting hinge pin420 through their respective openings 418, 434. In this manner, barriermember 404 is engaged with and hinged to platform member 402 to permitrotation and folding of the lower surface 428 of barrier member 404 ontothe top surface 403 of platform member 402.

Referring once again to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the third component of petapparatus 400 is support member 406 which is detachably fixed tostairway door 120 at or below pet door opening 280 in the same manner assupport member 206 with the use of appropriate fastening means, such as,for example, hex nuts, or wing nuts, and corresponding bolts 268, 270passed through corresponding openings 272, 274 (see FIG. 2). Supportmember 406 has a front side 436 facing the stairway, a upper side 438,and side supports 440, 442 which are preferably made integrative withsupport member 406 as a unitary construction. Extending from upper side438 beyond front side 436 are a plurality of spaced-apart hollow pivots444 having openings 446 configured for the receipt therethrough ofconnecting hinge pin 426. The extension of pivots 444 beyond front side436 is such that the lower portion of side supports 440, 442 define arecess 447 whose purpose is to function as a rotational stop for therespective rear end flanges 452 and 454 of the platform side supports408 and 410. This arrangement ensures that platform 402 is horizontallysupported at a substantially perpendicular angle to stairway door 120.

Once again, the spacing between pivots 422 of platform member 402 andthe pivots 444 of support member 406 are such that the pivots mate witheach other to accommodate the receipt of connecting hinge pin 426through their respective openings 424, 446. In this manner, supportmember 406 is hinged to platform member 402 to permit the free rotationof the folded barrier member 404 onto platform member 402 about hingepin 426, in an upward direction as shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, petapparatus 400 is shown in its folded and collapsed position against thedownstairs side 121 of stairway door 120. Once folded and collapsed, petapparatus 400 can be held in place against stairway door 120 using thesame arrangement shown for pet apparatus 200 illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5and 6, or by any other known fastening means available to those skilledin the art. In the illustration shown in FIG. 12, an attachment ring 417engaged with a looped cord 415 is provided about the lower edge 405 ofbackstop 404 the looped cord of which is engaged with hook 411 that issecured to the downstairs side 121 of door 120 above pet door opening280.

As noted above and in FIGS. 11-13, the deployed position of barriermember 404 relative to the horizontally deployed platform member 402 isset at an obtuse angle which is necessitated by the freely rotatingbarrier member about connecting pin 420. Otherwise, due to gravitationalforces, barrier member 404 would fall freely in a downward direction andnot be able to function as an obstruction for directing the householdpet onto stairway step 101 (see FIG. 1A) immediately below pet dooropening 280 from either the right or left direction of platform member402. The obtuse angle is determined by flange 407 coming to rest againstthe rotational stopping surfaces 448 and 450 which define the front endsof side supports 408 and 410. The rotational stopping surfaces of sidesupports 408 and 410 are configured to position barrier member 404 atthe same angle relative to horizontally disposed platform member 402. Inorder for barrier member 404 to function as an effective obstruction todirect the household pet in a right or left direction after exiting petdoor opening 280, the angle between horizontally deployed platformmember 402 and barrier member 404 can range from about 95 to 120degrees, preferably in the range of about 100 to 110 degrees.

It should be noted that the position of barrier member 404 relative tothe horizontally deployed platform member 402 can be adjusted to anyangle appropriate for creating the necessary obstruction to thehousehold pet by adjusting the rotation of backstop 404 and platform 402about their respective hinge pins 420 and 426 with a stiffenedresistance. The stiffened resistance can be accomplished by increasingthe diameter of the hinge pins such that they would meet with aresistance fit when inserted into their respective openings. This methodwould optionally apply to increasing the diameter of hinge pins 236 and256 for connecting the connecting link 260 with flange 230 and supportmember 206. In this manner, pet apparatus 200 can be manually adjustedto the deployed or collapsed position and any position therebetweenobviating the need for the formerly described devices for maintainingpet apparatus in its vertical collapsed position adjacent to thedownstairs side 121 of stairway door 120. Similarly, a stiffenedresistance can be provided between the pivoting components, specificallybetween the pairs of pivots 416 and 432, and pivots 422 and 444. It willbe understood that with regard to the pivot and hinge embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 that join barrier member 404 toplatform member 402, other functional external hinge assemblies andarrangements (not shown) can be utilized for the engagement and foldingof the barrier member over the platform member.

The various components of the pet apparatus embodiments disclosed hereincan be made from any one or a combination of a variety of materialsincluding hardened plastic, e.g., polyethylene or ABS, metal, wood orsimilar materials that offer sufficient strength and construction towithstand the combined forces exerted on them. The combined forcesinclude the weight of the materials making up the components of thestairway pet apparatus; the weight of the pet; the inertial forcescreated by the mechanism itself as it is deployed and collapsed; as wellas those inertial forces exerted by the pet as it jumps onto theplatform member. The weight of the pets can range from 1 to 10 pounds,10 to 25 pounds and 25 to 50 pounds with the latter requiring sufficientstiffening ribs for the platform member. It is therefore critical thatthe platform member of each of the embodiments herein has a firmsupportive surface oriented substantially perpendicular to stairway door120 for supporting these forces, particularly the weight of the petinvolved. In this way, an ergonomically safe, and a non-deflective, firmsurface for the pet to step, stand, and/or to sit in-place on during itspassage through the pet door opening in its migration to the lower levelof the house or building, is accomplished. The basic shape of theplatform members illustrated in the various FIGS. herein has a generallyrectangular or square configuration, but other flat geometric shapes arecontemplated in accordance with the scope of the invention herein, e.g.,one having multiple sides beyond a rectangle or square. The backstop ofthe pet apparatus must be of sufficient dimension to prevent the petfrom bypassing it and also to cause the pet to change direction.

The support member is a structural member that is part of the hardwareused to attach the platform member and barrier member to the stairwaydoor 120. The purpose of support members 114, 206 and 406, therefore, isto increase the effectiveness of the fasteners used to attach theplatform member and barrier member to the stairway door 120 bydistributing the load pressure over a wider surface area on the stairwaydoor.

While the pet apparatus embodiments according to the invention hereinare likely to find most use for cats and small dogs needing to travelfrom floor to floor to obtain access to food, litter boxes, sleepingarea or other activities, its use can be extended to other householdpets that include rabbits, monkeys, ferrets, gerbils or otherdomesticated creatures whose travel path up or down a stairway requiresa stepping platform when traveling through a pet door opening.

It is to be recognized that specific orientation of a component depictedor described in the specification (e.g., upstairs side 119) is notintended to be limiting, and variations of an orientation or arrangementof a specific part or component described in the specification may beimplemented by a person of ordinary skill.

The following is a list of reference numerals and associated parts asused in this specification and drawings:

Reference Numeral Part 100 rigid pet stairway apparatus 101 stairwaystep 102 platform member 104 top surface 106 bottom surface 108 barriermember 110 inner surface 112 outer surface 114 support member 116 upperedge 118 lower edge 119 upstairs side of door 120 stairway door 121downstairs side of door 122 rigid placement member 124 pet door opening126 nuts and bolts 127 nuts and bolts 128 openings 129 openings 130bottom 200 collapsible pet stairway apparatus 202 platform member 204barrier member 206 support member 206 support member 210 front side 210rear sides 212 rear side 214 recess 216 recess 218 hollow opening 218front hollow opening 220 hollow openings 222 hinge pin 224 hinge pin 226lower side 228 upper side 230 flange 230 flange 232 lower side 234flange recess 235 hollow opening 236 hinge pin 238 upper portion 240opening 242 upper sides 244 lower sides 246 side support member 248 sidesupport member 250 upwardly extending flange 251 longitudinal hollowopening 252 longitudinal hollow opening 254 lower side recess 256 hingepin 258 rear portion 260 connecting link 262 longitudinal hollow opening264 front portion 266 longitudinal hollow opening 268 bolts 270 bolts271 wing nut or hex nut 272 openings 274 openings 276 securement member278 lower edge 280 pet door opening 282 ring 283 looped cord 284 cord286 grommet 288 opening 289 hook 290 peg 292 second ring 294 slot 296latch 298 spring-loaded catch 302 torsional spring 305 platform lockingmechanism 306 restraining latch 308 hinge pin 310 sidewalls 312sidewalls 314 flat portion 316 hinge pins 400 foldable/stackable petstairway apparatus 402 platform member 403 top surface 404 barriermember 405 lower edge 406 support member 407 flange 408 side support 410side support 411 hook 412 front end 414 rear end 415 looped cord 416pivots 417 attachment ring 418 openings 420 connecting pin 422 pivots424 openings 426 hinge pin 428 lower surface 430 upper surface 432pivots 434 opening 436 front side 438 upper side 440 side supports 442side support 444 pivot 446 opening 447 recess 448 rotational stoppingsurface 450 rotational stopping surface 452 rear end flange 454 rear endflange

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferredembodiments and examples described herein, but should be given thebroadest interpretation consistent with the written description as awhole.

I claim:
 1. A foldable pet apparatus having a deployed position and acollapsed position, said foldable pet apparatus comprising: a) a rigidplatform member comprising a front side and a back side at opposing endsof said rigid platform member wherein: i) said front side of said rigidplatform is provided with a first hinge; ii) said back side of saidrigid platform member is provided with a second hinge; iii) said rigidplatform member is adapted to have a horizontal configuration when saidfoldable pet apparatus is in said deployed position; and iv) said rigidplatform member is adapted to have a vertical orientation when saidfoldable pet apparatus is in said collapsed position; b) a rigid barriermember comprising an upper side wherein: i) said rigid barrier member isconnected to said first hinge of said rigid platform member; ii) saidrigid barrier member is adapted to have a vertical orientation when saidfoldable pet apparatus is in said deployed position; iii) said upperside of said rigid barrier member is configured to extend above saidrigid platform member when said foldable pet apparatus is in saiddeployed position; and iv) said rigid barrier member is adapted to havea vertical orientation when said foldable pet apparatus is in saidcollapsed position; and c) a support member wherein: i) said supportmember is adapted to be attached to a vertical wall at a position belowa pet door opening in said vertical wall; and ii) said support member isconnected to said second hinge of said rigid platform member such thatsaid support member and said rigid platform member will cooperate witheach other to establish said horizontal orientation of said rigidplatform member when said foldable pet apparatus is in said deployedposition; and wherein: d) said support member is configured to allow apet to stand thereupon when: i) said foldable pet apparatus is mountedon said vertical wall below said pet door opening; ii) said foldable petapparatus is in said deployed position; and iii) said pet passes throughsaid pet door opening in a forward direction towards said rigid barriermember; e) said rigid barrier member is configured to block said forwardmotion of said pet beyond said front side of said rigid platform memberwhen said foldable pet apparatus is in said deployed position; and f)said foldable pet apparatus is adapted to fold against said verticalwall and block said pet door opening when said foldable pet apparatus isin said collapsed position.
 2. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 1wherein: a) said upper side of said rigid barrier member is orientedupwards when said foldable pet apparatus is in said collapsed position.3. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a) said upper side ofsaid rigid barrier member is oriented downwards when said foldable petapparatus is in said collapsed position.
 4. The foldable pet apparatusof claim 1 wherein at least one of said rigid platform member or saidsupport member comprises a rotational stop relative to said first hingesuch that said rigid platform member will be in said horizontalorientation when said foldable pet apparatus is in said deployedposition.
 5. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said verticalorientation assumed by said rigid barrier member when said foldable petapparatus is in said deployed position is at either a substantiallyright angle with respect to said rigid platform member or at an obtuseangle with respect to said rigid platform member.
 6. The foldable petapparatus of claim 1 which further comprises: a) a spring connectingsaid support member to said rigid platform member; and b) a latchoperable to reversibly engage said support member and said rigidplatform member wherein: c) said spring is biased to urge said foldablepet apparatus from said deployed position to said collapsed position;and d) said latch is configured to: i) block said spring from urgingsaid foldable pet apparatus from said deployed position to saidcollapsed position when said latch is engaged with said support memberand said rigid platform member; and ii) allow said spring to urge saidfoldable pet apparatus from said deployed position to said collapsedposition when said latch is not engaged with said support member andsaid rigid platform member.
 7. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 1which further comprises: a) a rigid connecting link comprising opposingfront and rear portions wherein: b) said front portion of said rigidconnecting link is hingedly connected to said rigid barrier member; andc) said rear portion of said rigid connecting link is hingedly connectedto said support member such that said rigid barrier member maintains avertical orientation as said foldable pet apparatus transitions fromsaid deployed position to said collapsed position.
 8. The foldable petapparatus of claim 1 wherein either said first hinge or said secondhinge comprises: a) a first hollow pivot comprising a first longitudinalhollow opening; b) a second hollow pivot comprising a secondlongitudinal hollow opening; and c) a longitudinal connecting pin thatpasses through said first longitudinal hollow opening and said secondlongitudinal hollow opening to form at least a portion of said first orsecond hinge.
 9. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 8 wherein: a) saidfirst hollow pivot is integral to said rigid platform member; and b)said second hollow pivot is integral to either said support member orsaid rigid barrier member.
 10. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 9wherein either said first hollow pivot or said second hollow pivot forma resistance fit with said longitudinal connecting pin such that saidfoldable pet apparatus can be manually adjusted to said deployedposition, said collapsed position, or a position therebetween.
 11. Thefoldable pet apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a securementmember adapted to be attached to said vertical wall and reversibly holdsaid collapsible pet apparatus in said collapsed position when said petapparatus is engaged therewith.
 12. The foldable pet apparatus of claim11 wherein: a) said foldable pet apparatus comprises a looped cordattached to said upper side of said rigid barrier member; b) saidsecurement member comprises a hook; and c) said looped cord isdimensioned to fit on said hook when said hook is mounted on adownstairs side of said vertical wall.
 13. The foldable pet apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein: a) said foldable pet apparatus comprises: i) a cordcomprising a first end and a second end; ii) a ring; and iii) a grommetadapted to fit onto a hole in said vertical wall; b) said first end ofsaid cord is attached to said upper side of said rigid barrier member;c) said second end of said cord is attached to said ring; d) said cordpasses through said grommet; and e) said securement member is adapted toreversibly engage said ring and hold said foldable pet apparatus in saidcollapsed position when: i) said grommet is mounted on said hole in saidvertical wall; and ii) said securement member is mounted on an upstairsside of said vertical wall.
 14. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 13wherein said securement member comprises a peg adapted to reversiblyengage said ring.
 15. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 13 whereinsaid securement member comprises a spring-loaded latch adapted toreversibly engage said ring.
 16. The foldable pet apparatus of claim 1wherein: a) said rigid barrier member comprises a downwardly dependingflange extending below said first hinge; b) said rigid platform membercomprises a downwardly depending side support; c) said downwardlydepending side support comprises a front end; and d) said downwardlydepending flange is adapted to rest against said front end of saiddownwardly depending side support when said foldable pet apparatus is insaid deployed position such that said rigid barrier member is at anobtuse angle with respect to said rigid platform member.
 17. A petapparatus having a deployed position comprising: a) a pet door; b) arigid platform member comprising a front side and a back side atopposing ends of said rigid platform member wherein said rigid platformhas a horizontal configuration when said pet apparatus is in saiddeployed position; c) a rigid barrier member comprising an upper sidewherein: i) said rigid barrier member is connected to said rigidplatform member; ii) said rigid barrier member has a verticalorientation when said pet apparatus is in said deployed position; andiii) said upper side of said rigid barrier member extends above saidrigid platform member when said pet apparatus is in said deployedposition; and d) a support member wherein: i) said support member isadapted to be attached to a vertical wall at a position below said petdoor when said pet door is mounted in a pet door opening in saidvertical wall; and ii) said support member is connected to said rigidplatform member such that said rigid platform member will have saidhorizontal configuration at a level below said pet door when saidsupport member is mounted on said vertical wall at a level below saidpet door when said pet door is mounted in said pet door opening; andwherein: e) said rigid platform member is configured to allow a pet tostand thereupon when: i) said pet apparatus is mounted on a downstairsside of said vertical wall below said pet door opening; ii) said petapparatus is in said deployed position; and iii) said pet passes throughsaid pet door opening in a forward direction towards said rigid barriermember; and f) said rigid barrier member is configured to block saidforward motion of said pet beyond said front side of said rigid platformmember when said pet apparatus is in said deployed position.
 18. The petapparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid barrier member is rigidlyattached to said rigid platform member such that said rigid barriermember has a vertical orientation when said pet apparatus is in saiddeployed position.
 19. The pet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigidplatform member comprises a right and left side and wherein said rightand left side are sufficiently open to allow said pet to leave saidrigid platform member by either said right side or said left side. 20.The pet apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a) said pet apparatus further hasa collapsed position; b) said rigid barrier member is hingedly joined tosaid rigid platform member; and c) said rigid platform member ishingedly joined to said support member such that said pet door will beblocked by at least one of said rigid platform member or said rigidbarrier member when: i) said pet apparatus is in said collapsedposition; ii) said pet door is mounted on a pet door opening in saidvertical wall; and iii) said support member is mounted on said verticalwall at a position below said pet door opening.